George  Washington  Flowers 
Mejnorial  Collection 

DUKE  UNIVERSITY  LIBRARY 


ESTABLISHED  BY  THE 
FAMILY  OF 

COLONEL  FLOWERS 


Digitized  by  the  Internet  Archive 
in  2016  with  funding  from 
Duke  University  Libraries 


https://archive.org/details/churchhomeinfirm01cull 


THE 

CHURCH  HOME  AND 
INFIRMARY 

A HISTORICAL  SKETCH 


BALTIMORE,  MD. 


This  is  the  earliest  picture  of  the  Church  Home  and  Infirmary  that  we  can  find.  It  appeared  about  1838 
in  an  announcement  of  the  Washington  Medical  College  which  then  occupied  this  building.  The 
College  authorities  evidently  wished  to  show  the  building  as  it  would  appear  when  fully 
completed.  No  West  wing  existed  and  the  four  pyramidal  towers  were  never 
built.  A reference  to  the  picture  of  1859  shows  what  in  reality  existed. 


Kindness  of  the  Maryland  Hist(rical  Society. 


- 


THE 

CHURCH  HOME  AND 
INFIRMARY 


A HOSPITAL  AND  HOME  MAIN- 
TAINED BY  THE  EPISCOPALIANS 
OF  BALTIMORE  AND  OF  THE 
STATE  OF  MARYLAND 


BALTIMORE,  MD. 

1915 


Norman  T.  A.  Munder  & Co. 
Printers 
Baltimore,  Md. 


PREFACE 


rHIS  fragfnentary  historical  account  of  the  Church  Home 
and  Infirmary  was  given  at  the  graduation  exercises  of  the 
Training  School  for  Nurses  held  on  Tuesday  evenings  May 
IJ^  IQIJ.  The  data  contained  in  this  short  history  came  almost 
exclusively  from  the  Annual  Reports.  The  medical  and  the  nursing 
side  have  been  dealt  with  somewhat  fully.  The  li?7iited  thne  at  my 
disposal  prevented  me  frotn  adequately  considering  many  other  inter- 
esting events  connected  with  the  history  of  this  institution. 

The  hospital  and  home,  although  supported  entirely  by  the  Epis- 
copalians of  Baltimore  and  of  the  State  of  Maryland,  in  addition  to 
giving  a permanent  hojne  to  the  aged  and  infirm  of  its  own  faith, 
has  also  rendered  incalculable  service  to  the  sick  of  the  city,  and  I 
might  say  of  the  country  at  large. 

It  will  be  noted  that  the  Church  Home  and  InfiriJiary  resulted 
from  an  amalgamation  of  the  St.  Barnabas'  s Church  Home  on  Bid- 
dle Street  and  of  the  St.  Andrew' s Infirmary  on  High  Street,  and 
further  that,  on  the  day  the  Church  Home  and  Infirmary  was  opened 
in  l8y8,  sixteen  people  were  brought  to  it  from  the  Ho?ne  and  twenty 
patients  from  the  Infirmary.  This  dual function  has  been  continued 
throughout  the  many  years. 

With  the  evolution  in  hospital  methods  during  the  last  twenty  years 
and  the  ever  increasing  realization  on  the  part  of  the  public  that, 
as  a rule,  a medical  or  surgical  patient  has  a much  better  chance 
of  getting  well  in  a hospital  than  in  his  or  her  hotJie,  greater  demands 
have  been  made  in  all  hospitals  for  more  abundant  and  more  ade- 
quate accommodations for  private  patients.  Appreciating  the  situa- 
tion, Trustees  of  the  Church  Ho?ne  and  Infirmary  not  only  improved 
the  private  rooms  they  already  had,  but  in  addition  added  a new 
building  called  the  Annex.  The  new  and  attractive  private  rooms 
were  soon  in  great  demand  and  as  a result  of  the  increased  revenue 
obtained  it  has  been  possible  not  only  to  care  for  more  guests  on  the 
Home  side  but  also  to  make  their  lot  a much  happier  one\  moreover. 


when  one  of  the  per7)ianent  guests  of  the  Home  now  needs  medical 
or  surgical  treatment,  this  can  be  furnished  most  satisfactorily  under 
the  same  roof. 

The  episcopalians  of  Baltimore  and  of  the  State  of  Maryland 
have  aJi  mstitution  of  which  they  jnay  feel  proud,  and  it  must  be  a 
source  of  the  greatest  satisfaction  to  them  to  feel  that,  while  the 
pj'ivilege  of  residence  in  the  Home  must  of  necessity  be  limited  to 
members  of  their  own  faith,  o?i  the  Hospital  or  Infirmary  side  they 
are  caring  for  the  many  irrespective  of  faith  or  creed.  The  Church 
Hotne  and  Infirmary  has  for  over  fifty  years  been  doing  an  incal- 
culable amount  of  good  and  its  usefulness  is  continually  increasing. 

THOMAS  S.  CULLEN, 

Chairman  of  the  Medical  Committee 


The  Church  Home  and  Infirmary  in  1859.  The  West  wing  had  not  yet  been  constructed. 
Washington’s  monument  is  seen  in  the  distance. 


The  Chuvch  Home  as  it  appeareJ  on  the  day  of  dedication  of  the  Wildey  Monument,  September  zo,  1S65 
Kitidnrss  of  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  hcllozcs. 


THE  CHURCH  HOME  AND  INFIRMARY  IN  1865 
This  picture  was  made  in  commemoration  of  the  monument  erected  to  the  memory  of  Thomas  Wildey,  founder 
of  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows.  The  Home  shows  little  change.  The  lawn  was  then  as  now 
a most  attractive  feature.  The  George  Corner  residence  is  seen  in  the  left  of  the  picture.  The 
costumes  then  noted  on  Broadway  differed  materially  from  those  of  today. 


Kindness  of  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows. 


INTRODUCTION 


UPON  hearing  Dr.  Cullen’s  splendid  address,  herewith 
published  as  a historical  sketch  of  the  Church  Home 
and  Infirmary,  I felt  its  publication  for  distribution 
among  our  people  would  be  most  desirable  and  acceptable. 

No  one  is  better  qualified  to  define  what  such  an  Institution 
should  be,  in  its  home,  no  less  than  in  its  hospital  features, 
than  the  author  of  this  sketch. 

Nor  does  anyone  occupy  a more  favorable  position  than  he 
to  state  intelligently  what  this  particular  Institution  really  is 
in  every  department  of  its  administration,  for  through  many 
years  he  has  been  part  of  it  and  has  so  devoted  his  time  to  it, 
and  merged  his  personality  and  powers  with  it,  that  he  knows 
it  as  well  as  does  he  know  himself. 

The  only  thing  the  Managers  of  the  Church  Home  and 
Infirmary  have  to  fear  is  ignorance  of  its  true  purpose  and 
administration;  what  they  supremely  desire  is  that  full  knowl- 
edge of  its  inner  workings,  especially  on  the  Home  side,  shall 
universally  obtain.  The  address  of  Dr.  Cullen  is  well  calculated 
to  shed  proper  light  upon  the  Institution  and  all  its  affairs  from 
the  day  of  its  establishment  to  the  present  time. 

I appreciate  sincerely  the  kindness  of  the  author  in  com- 
plying with  my  request  for  the  publication  of  the  sketch,  and 
commend  it  to  the  careful  consideration  of  all  who  may  be 
fortunate  enough  to  have  the  opportunity  of  its  perusal. 


Bishop  of  Maryland. 

1 1 lo  Madison  Avenue 
Baltimore 


LOOKING  WEST  FROM  THE  CHURCH  HOME  AND  INFIRMARY 
This  panorama  can  be  seen  from  tlie  balcony  on  the  Home  side  and  also  from  the  annex.  In  addition  to  the  several  churches  and  the 
many  tall  buildings  one  recognizes  the  post-office  and  that  old  landmark  ot  Baltimore,  the  shot-tower. 


THE 

CHURCH  HOME  AND  INFIRMARY 

A Historical  Sketch 

All  of  you  are  thoroughly  familiar  with  every  nook  and 
cranny  of  this  splendid  philanthropic  institution,  but  I 
venture  to  say  that  few  in  this  room  have  any  very  clear 
knowledge  of  just  how  it  was  started  or  of  the  departed  friends 
who  were  responsible  for  the  gradual  development  of  the 
Church  Home. 

In  the  time  allotted  to  me  1 shall  endeavor  to  give  you  a short 
history  of  your  Alma  Mater.  Most  of  the  information  contained 
in  my  address  has  been  gleaned  from  the  Annual  Reports. 

A couple  of  days  ago  I called  at  the  office  and  asked  the 
names  of  those  who  had  long  been  associated  with  the  Church 
Home  and  Infirmary  and  who  were  still  in  the  institution.  I 
was  informed  that  none  of  the  present  occupants  had  been  resi- 
dents of  the  Home  for  more  than  fifteen  years.  This  came  as 
a distinct  shock  to  me  as  I have  been  coming  to  the  Home  for 
over  fifteen  years  and  I could  hardly  realize  that  I was  the  old- 
est inhabitant.  A more  careful  examination  of  the  roster,  how- 
ever, showed  that  several  have  been  in  the  Home  for  a much 
longer  period. 

Early  in  the  fifties  the  Episcopal  Church  in  Baltimore  was 
stimulated  to  start  philanthropies  looking  to  the  welfare  of  the 
sick  and  homeless.  St.  Andrew’s  Church  had  an  infirmary  on 
High  Street  and  several  of  the  other  churches  supported  a 
Church  Home  on  Biddle  Street.  The  Church  Home  on  Bid- 
dle Street  had  as  its  officers:— Visitor,  Rt.  Rev.  W.  R.  Whit- 
tingham,  D.D.  Bishop  of  Maryland;  Rector,  Rev.  Edmund  B. 
Tuttle;  President,  Mrs.  Whittingham ; Vice-President,  Mrs. 
Neilson;  Treasurer,  Mrs.  Montell;  Secretary,  Miss  Barney. 

In  addition  there  were  four  managers  from  each  of  the  fol- 


7 


lowing  churches,  St.  Paul’s,  Grace,  Mt.  Calvary  and  Emmanuel. 
The  matron  to  the  institution  was  Mrs.  Tuttle,  and  the  attend- 
ing physicians  were  Dr.  F.  Donaldson  and  Dr.  R.  Atkinson. 

In  the  report  of  the  Trustees  of  the  Church  Home  on  St. 
Barnabas  Day,  June  1 1,  1856  we  note  that  on  the  i ith  of  Oc- 
tober, 1855,  “They  called  together  by  public  notice  the  con- 
tributors to  the  Fund,  they  reporting  progress  and  recommend- 
ing the  immediate  organization  of  the  Home,  under  the  joint 
management  and  direction  of  the  Rector  or  Warden  thereof, 
and  of  a committee  of  ladies  from  such  of  the  congregations 
of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church  in  the  city  of  Baltimore  as 
might  associate  themselves  for  that  purpose.  Their  recom- 
mendation was  adopted  by  the  meeting,  and  shortly  after  car- 
ried into  effect  by  the  formation  of  Church  Home  Societies  in 
St.  Paul’s,  Grace  and  Mt.  Calvary  Churches,  and  at  a subse- 
quent period  in  Emmanuel  Church.  The  following  Resolu- 
tions were  likewise  adopted  by  the  contributors. 

“‘Resolved,  that  the  Trustees,  heretofore  charged  with  the 
collection  ofa  fund  for  the  Church  Home,  are  hereby  appointed 
to  continue  their  work,  and  to  manage  and  enlarge  the  Fund. 
Resolved,  that  they  have  power  to  add  to  their  number  from 
among  the  Clergy  and  Laity  of  the  Church;  and  that  they  are 
authorized  to  fill  vacancies  occurring  in  their  body.  Resolved, 
that  they  are  also  empowered  to  take  out  a Charter  of  Incor- 
poration, which  will  enable  them  to  hold  property  and  receive 
bequests,  on  behalf  of  the  Fund.’ 

“The  Trustees  fully  believe,  and  would  urge  it  upon  the  at- 
tention of  this  meeting,  that  the  present  is  a suitable  time  for 
the  more  earnest — they  hope  successful — prosecution  and  com- 
pletion of  this  charitable  work.  It  has  survived  its  initial  stage; 
it  has  given  an  earnest  of  what  it  can  accomplish;  it  has  brought 
out  into  bolder  relief  the  wants  and  claims  of  the  class  it  aims 
to  benefit.  To  go  back,  to  fail,  would  be  a shame  to  our  com- 
munion. To  remain  stationary,  would  be  to  reject  and  throw 
back  to  poverty  and  suffering  many  whose  eyes  are  turned  to 
this  charity  as  their  only  relief.  We  must  go  on,  by  God’s 
grace  and  the  generous  hearts  of  Christian  men. 

“We  must  throw  ourselves  upon  the  charities  of  members 


8 


LOOKING  NORTH  FROM  THE  CHURCH  HOME  AND  INFIRMARY 
The  tops  of  the  trees  on  Broadway  give  a most  restful  outlook  for  the  convalescent  patients  lying  or  sitting  on  the  balconies.  In  the  right  of  the  pict, 
one  sees  that  splendid  group  of  buildings  comprising  the  Johns  Hopkins  Hospital,  which  is  but  three  squares  distant. 


of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church  and  beg  them,  in  Christ’s 
Name,  to  keep  alive  and  render  operative  an  institution,  pecu- 
liarly of  their  own  body,  for  the  relief  of  the  suffering  of  those 
of  the  same  Household  of  Faith.  New  York  found  no  diffi- 
culty in  raising  one  hundred  thousand  dollars  for  St.  Luke’s 
Hospital — and  is  in  the  field  for  as  much  more  and  will  get 
it.  Philadelphia  has  a large  hospital  and  infirmary  well  sus- 
tained. Chicago,  a city  of  yesterday,  has  gone  beyond  us  in 
this  respect.  Why  should  our  church  community,  so  large, 
so  wealthy,  we  may  add,  so  charitable,  linger  on  the  threshold 
of  so  great  a work.”  The  Trustees  then  asked  for  $20,000. 
This  appeal  was  signed  by  the  Chairman  of  the  Trustees,  Rev. 
W.  E.  Wyatt. 

In  the  report  of  1856  it  was  said,  “The  number  of  persons 
who  have  thus  far  received  benefits  of  the  institution  is  as 
follows : 

36  inmates  of  the  Home  for  divers  periods 

98  to  whom  temporary  shelter  and  meals  have  been 

afforded.” 

This  was,  of  course,  at  the  Biddle  Street  Church  Home. 
“The  lodging  department,  for  wayfaring  men  in  the  season  of 
winter,  is  an  incidental  and  distinct  feature  of  the  charity,  which 
may,  or  may  not,  be  connected  with  the  Home.  The  base- 
ment was  fitted  up  for  this  purpose,  having  no  connection  with 
other  parts  of  the  building,  or  its  inmates. 

“In  short  the  Home  is  a place  where,  if  need  be,  the  aged 
clergyman,  worn  out  and  enfeebled  in  his  Master’s  service,  can 
find  a suitable  place  to  which  he  can  retire  and  prepare  his 
soul  for  eternity. 

“The  sick  child  of  sin  and  sorrow,  may  come  here  and  learn 
how  to  die. 

“The  daughter  of  misfortune  can  stop  here  by  the  wayside, 
as  it  were,  and  rest  awhile,  till  ready  to  go  on  and  do  battle 
with  the  world,  which  seemed  to  be  all  against  her. 

“The  aged,  whose  sojourn  here  is  but  temporary,  can  find, 
what  they  long  for,  within  its  walls — the  Old  Man’s  Home. 

“The  Home  is  greatly  indebted  to  its  friends  for  donations 
in  money,  furniture,  etc.  Drs.  Donaldson  and  Atkinson  have 


9 


given  their  services  regularly  and  faithfully  without  any  charge 
to  the  Institution.” 

At  the  celebration  of  the  Feast  of  St.  Barnabas,  in  1856,  the 
Rev.  A.  Cleveland  Coxe,  Rector  of  Grace  Church,  preached 
a sermon  in  behalf  of  the  Church  Home,  taking  as  his  text, 
“Take  care  of  him,  and  whatsoever  thou  spendest  more,  when 
I come  again  I will  repay  thee.” 

In  the  course  of  his  remarks  he  said,  “ Let  us  regard  our 
assembling  then,  not  so  much  an  act  of  mercy  to  the  poor  as 
of  justice  to  ourselves.  True,  the  outcry  of  the  needy  is  sound- 
ing in  our  ears;  but  our  necessities  are  greater  than  theirs.  If 
we  shut  our  ears,  or  pass  by  on  the  other  side,  we  rob  them 
indeed  of  the  morsel  of  our  bread  which  is  theirs  by  a holy 
claim,  but  at  the  same  time,  we  are  losing  the  opportunity  of 
feeding  our  spiritual  hunger  with  the  Bread  ‘which  endureth 
unto  Everlasting  Life.’ 

“ ‘ Go  and  do  thou  likewise,’ — that  is,  go,  visit  the  poor  and 
needy,  and  so  far  as  you  can  give  them  the  use  of  your  own 
blessings ; deny  yourself  for  them,  as  the  Samaritan  did  when 
he  descended  from  his  beast  and  went  on  foot  that  the  sick  man 
might  ride ; and  what  you  cannot  do  in  this  way,  for  the  want 
of  time  or  opportunity  do  in  the  same  way  that  he  did,  when 
he  said,  ‘ Take  care  of  him,  and  whatsoever  thou  spendest  more 
I will  repay  thee.’  Here  is  the  original  conception  of  such 
charities  as  our  Church  Home;  and  Christ  has  chartered  it 
and  made  it  a part  of  Christian  benevolence,  by  saying  of  it — 
‘ Go  and  do  thou  likewise.’  And  I beg  to  ask,  how — before 
its  doors  were  opened  last  October — how  did  the  Churchmen 
of  Baltimore  fulfill  this  part  of  Christian  duty?  Where  could 
they  go  and  do  likewise?  Modern  hotels  do  not  open  to  the 
poor  nor  do  landlords  accept  such  charges  from  those  who 
would  bid  them  take  care  of  them.  Neither  pence  nor  pounds 
would  secure  what  such  require  in  any  ordinary  inn.  I trust 
I may  yet  see  with  my  own  eyes  this  name  of  Church  Home 
set  over  the  gate  of  some  large  establishment,  reared  by  the 
Churchmen  of  Baltimore,  as  a becoming  tribute  to  God  for 
His  bounties  to  them,  and  as  an  illustration  of  their  ideas  of 
the  duty  suggested  by  the  words,  ‘Go  and  do  thou  likewise.’ 


10 


LOOKING  SOUTH  FROM  THE  CHURCH  HOME  AND  INFIRMARY 
The  wide  avenue  is  Broadway.  This  near  the  hospital  is  parked,  the  many  trees  and  flower  beds  making  it  particularly  attractive. 

In  the  distance  is  a beautiful  view  of  the  harbor. 


THE  CHURCH  HOME  AND  INEIRMARY  AS  SEEN  EROM  UROADWAY 


It  should  occupy  some  spacious  and  healthy  site,  of  which  we 
should  be  permitted  to  say,  that  some  Son  of  Consolation,  like 
St.  Barnabas,  devoted  it,  as  that  apostle  did  his  land  in  Cyprus, 
to  the  glory  of  God  and  the  good  of  Christ’s  poor.  Who  will 
give  the  land  ? It  should  have  large  and  airy  halls,  in  which 
should  lie  a great  number  of  impotent  folk,  as  at  the  pool  of 
Bethesda.  It  should  have  a decent  chapel,  in  which,  twice 
every  day,  the  poor  should  lift  their  grateful  hands  to  heaven 
to  crave  blessings  on  their  benefactors,  and  in  which,  from 
time  to  time  the  Word  of  God  should  be  preached  to  them 
and  spiritual  meat  provided.” 

Little  has  been  written  of  St.  Andrew’s  Infirmary  on  High 
Street,  but  in  the  Report  for  1888  we  note  that  of  six  pa- 
tients who  died  during  the  year  one  had  been  in  the  Church 
Home  thirty  years  (wanting  a few  days)  having  been  admitted 
in  February,  1858.  The  report  further  goes  on  to  say,  “That 
was  we  believe  one  of  the  first  patients  received  in  the  Home, 
(Mrs.  Jane  Chase)  having  come  into  the  institution  on  the 
9th  of  February  1858,  that  being  the  day  when  the  present 
building  on  Broadway  was  taken  possession  of  under  the  man- 
agement of  the  Deaconesses  of  the  Diocese  of  Maryland,  who 
merged  in  one  work  of  charity,  and  removed  into  the  building, 
thirty-six  patients,  of  whom  twenty  came  from  St.  Andrew’s 
Infirmary,  and  sixteen  from  the  old  Church  Home  Society.” 
It  was,  therefore,  on  this  day  that  the  Church  Home  and  In- 
firmary was  opened.  From  the  paper  “Church  Home  and 
Infirmary,  Past  and  Present,”  written  by  Dr.  F.  D.  Gavin,  ap- 
pearing in  the  report  of  1896,  we  learn  that  the  building  pur- 
chased was  erected  in  1836  and  was  used  as  a medical  college, 
a department  of  the  old  Washington  University,  since  merged 
into  the  College  of  Physicians  and  Surgeons  of  this  city.  The 
original  building  included  a rotunda  flanked  by  towers,  and 
connecting  with  a wing  extending  east  about  seventy  feet.  Both 
rotunda  and  wings  were  five  stories  high,  with  basement,  and 
extended  one  hundred  feet  facing  the  lawn,  and  looking  to- 
ward the  south. 

The  earliest  picture  of  this  institution,  that  I have  seen,  re- 
presented this  building  situated  high  on  a hill  and  surrounded 


by  corn  fields.  The  first  report  of  the  Church  Home  and  In- 
firmary says,  “ The  situation  of  the  Church  Home  and  Infir- 
mary is  on  the  most  elevated  ground  in  the  city  and  commands 
a view  of  the  bay  and  surrounding  country,  even  superior  to 
that  obtained  from  the  top  of  the  monument. 

“This  eminence — long  known  from  an  adjoining  site,  as 
Fairmount,  is  easy  of  access,  and  yet  removed  from  the  heat 
and  noise  of  the  city.  The  Avenue,  Broadway,  on  which  the 
building  fronts  is  one  of  the  finest  in  Baltimore,  and  although 
little  travelled  in  this  section  it  is,  at  a few  rods  distance,  the 
thoroughfare  of  a line  of  Omnibuses,  (Pennsylvania  Line) 
which  ply  through  Baltimore  Street  and  the  heart  of  the  city 
to  its  western  extremity. 

“As  the  building  now  stands  it  presents  a noble  aspect.  Its 
cupola  is  surmounted  by  the  same  cross  which  so  long  adorned 
the  spire  of  old  St.  Paul’s,  and  which,  after  surviving  the  fire 
which  consumed  that  venerable  church,  now  glances  in  the 
sun  like  an  ensign  on  the  hill,  its  wide  spreading  arms  betok- 
ening a charity  as  comprehensive  as  that  of  Him  who  once 
testified  upon  the  tree  his  undoubted  love  for  man.” 

From  time  to  time  improvements  were  made  in  the  insti- 
tution, the  rotunda  was  fitted  up  in  1875.  In  i 883  the  Church 
Home  and  Infirmary  not  only  owned  the  building  and  grounds 
on  which  the  institution  was  situated,  but  had  investments 
amounting  to  $115,975  yielding  $4,200  per  annum.  At  that 
time  the  women’s  ward  on  the  5th  floor  was  an  attic  room. 
In  1888  and  1 889  it  was  decided  to  build  the  west  wing,  which 
was  put  up  at  the  cost  of  $45,864.  In  this  wing  provision  was 
made  for  a sailor’s  ward  situated  in  the  basement  and  also  for 
a children’s  ward.  The  sailor’s  ward  was,  however,  not  a suc- 
cess as  no  patients  came  to  fill  its  beds.  The  children’s  ward 
has  had  many  beds  and  at  certain  intervals  quite  a number  of 
children  were  in  the  ward  but  report  after  report  dwells  upon 
the  fact  that  “notwithstanding  the  many  beds  few  were  oc- 
cupied.” 

In  1891  the  gallery  of  the  chapel  was  altered  so  that  wheel 
chairs  could  be  taken  in. 

In  1893  East  portico  of  the  building  was  added.  In  1 896 


12 


THE  FRONT  DOOR  LEADING  TO  THE  OFFICE 


THE  HOSl’ITAI,  LAWN  AS  VIEWED  FROM  THE  VERANDAH 


the  Trustees  seriously  considered  the  establishing  of  a Home 
for  Tuberculous  patients  as  by  this  time  the  medical  profes- 
sion was  urging  that  the  dangers  of  allowing  consumptive  pa- 
tients to  be  associated  with  others  were  great.  In  1897  the 
East  wing  was  repaired  and  in  1905  the  present  annex  became 
an  accomplished  fact. 

The  Visitor  of  the  Church  Home  has  always  been  the  Bishop 
of  Maryland.  Since  the  building  was  established  the  following 
Bishops  have  been  Visitors,  Bishops  Whittingham,  Pinkney, 
Paret  and  our  Bishop  Murray.  The  first  treasurer  of  the  Church 
Home  and  Infirmary  was  George  W.  Tinges,*  and  in  going 
through  the  many  records  I have  grown  to  feel  that  he  was 
an  old  friend. 

His  reports  are  models.  One  can  see  the  tremendous  amount 
of  interest  and  anxiety  he  had  for  the  institution  to  weather 
the  storm  in  its  early  days.  One  of  the  most  amusing  items  that 
I have  seen  in  the  report  was,  “debtor  to  cash  $2.00  for  a coun- 
terfeit note.”  That  is  the  only  instance  in  which  I have  known 
the  Church  Home  to  have  lost  money  in  such  a manner.  The 
finances  of  the  institution  had  many  ups  and  downs,  but  the 
Treasurer,  assisted  by  the  Trustees  and  the  ladies,  was  able  to 
cope  with  the  situation.  Probably  the  most  pathetic  report  was 
that  of  1 863.  “The  current  year  had  scarcely  opened  before  a 
sensible  diminution  of  receipts  was  felt.  The  Board  had  already 
expended,  for  debts  incurred  and  for  the  support  of  the  House, 
all  its  funds,  including  a portion  of  the  endowment  and  the 
Treasurer  could  consequently  no  longer  respond  to  the  calls  for 
money  for  ‘current  expenses,’  however  urgently  made.  The 
result  has  been,  ‘no  money  to  go  to  market  with’  more  than 
once  during  the  past  three  months,  new  debts  for  ‘bread  and 
meat’  have  followed,  although  it  was  distinctly  understood  in 
July,  1861,  that  the  Board  could  not  keep  the  institution  open, 
except  upon  condition  that  it  be  kept  from  debt.  The  alter- 
natives were  Debt,  Starvation  or  the  Almshouse.  The  first  was 
chosen,  but  of  that  there  must  be  an  end. 

*Mr.  George  W.  Tinges  on  numerous  occasions  referred  to  the  gift  of  the  Rev.  S.  R.  Sargeant 
and  on  the  day  that  he  sent  in  his  resignation  as  Treasurer  to  the  Board  of  Trustees  in  October 
1874,  he  said  “ On  the  first  of  September  1854,  I received  $130  from  my  friend  S.  R.  Sargeant 
as  the  beginning  of  this  Society.  That  was  the  comer  stone.” 


13 


“The  number  of  beneficiaries  has  averaged  higher  than  that 
for  which  a support  was  pledged.  The  cost  of  support  of  each 
has  increased.  The  receipts  from  pay  patients  have  diminished, 
and  it  follows  that  more,  not  less,  must  be  paid  into  the  treas- 
ury for  the  present  year  in  order  to  prevent  the  second  or  third 
alternative  above  mentioned.” 

In  the  report  for  1865  by  the  Warden,  the  Rev.  Mr.  Clark, 
we  find  the  following:  “Lastly,  we  were  so  unfortunate  a few 
weeks  ago  as  to  lose  a very  fine  cow,  for  which  $100  had  just 
been  paid.  This  is  mentioned  in  the  hope  that  it  may  meet 
the  eye  of  some  liberal  farmer  who  will  replace  her.” 

Mr.  C.  T.  Boehm  was  appointed  Treasurer  in  1 875  and  died 
in  1893.  I can  hardly  realize  that  our  present  Treasurer,  Mr. 
William  Thomsen,  still  a young  man,  was  appointed  to  his 
responsible  position  in  1891,  22  years  ago. 

Among  the  list  of  physicians  we  notice  Drs.  F.  Donaldson, 
James  A.  Reed,  W.  Chew  Van  Bibber,  W.  G.  Harrison,  Jr., 
E.  Lloyd  Howard,  Christopher  Johnston,  George  D.  Beatty, 
M.  S.  De  Rossit,  Thomas  R.  Brown,  F.  R.  Walker,  B.  W. 
Barton,  B.  C.  Riggs,  Russell  Murdoch,  William  Green,  H.  S. 
Bowie,  Robert  W.  Johnson,  H.  P.  Wilson,  A.  E.  Stein,  L. 
McLane  Tiffany,  How^ard  A.  Kelly,  and  George  J.  Preston. 
The  first  resident  physician  was  Dr.  W.  C.  Worthington,  ap- 
pointed in  1873;  second.  Dr.  Frank  D.  Gavin,  appointed 
in  1874. 

In  the  report  of  the  Trustees  for  the  year  1879  we  read, 
“During  the  past  year  there  have  been  performed  several  very 
interesting  surgical  operations  and  in  this  connection  the  Trus- 
tees would  make  grateful  mention  of  Dr.  Thomas  R.  Brown, 
by  whose  death  the  Church  Home  suffers  a great  loss.  Dr. 
Brown  had  for  several  years  given  his  most  acceptable  services 
gratuitously,  and  many  are  those  who  by  his  skill  have  been 
relieved.  He  was  always  faithful  in  his  duties,  thus  voluntarily 
assumed,  and  kind  and  gentle  to  the  suffering.  His  memory 
will  long  be  dear  to  those  whom,  under  God,  he  has  restored 
to  health  and  strength,” 

In  1892  the  report  of  the  Executive  Committee  says  “That 
we  are  able  to  close  the  year  without  materially  exceeding  our 


14 


income  is  a matter  not  only  of  congratulation,  when  the  increase 
of  patients  treated  in  the  surgical  and  general  wards  of  the  In- 
firmary is  noted,  but  also  worthy  of  commendation.  The  credit 
is  due,  in  a very  great  measure,  to  our  resident  physician,  F. 
D.  Gavin,  M.  D.,  to  whose  care  and  foresight  the  efficiency  of 
the  institution  at  the  present  time  is  in  a great  measure  due. 
Always  giving  his  time  and  thought  to  our  needs  the  many 
years  of  his  oversight  are  bearing  fruit,  and  his  kindness  to- 
wards the  inmates,  his  fairness  of  dealing  with  those  among 
whom  he  labors,  and  his  cordial  welcome  given  to  other  phy- 
sicians and  surgeons,  whose  patients  find  in  him  a constant  and 
attentive  friend,  is  appreciated  by  all.  He  has  seen  that  which 
was  needed  to  make  the  Church  Home  and  Infirmary  more 
useful  to  the  sufferers  in  our  community,  and  his  insistence 
until  the  wants  have  been  supplied  has  enabled  the  Home  to 
offer  to  the  large  number,  who  have  availed  themselves  of  its 
care,  much  that  has  alleviated  distress  and  increased  the  use- 
fulness of  the  work  that  is  carried  on  within  its  walls.” 

The  report  of  1 904  contains  the  appointment  of  Dr.  S.  Grif- 
fith Davis  as  assistant  physician.  Dr.  Davis  has  for  many  years 
rendered  the  institution  signal  service  by  giving  the  anaesthe- 
sias ; he  has  become  one  of  the  most  prominent  anaesthetists 
in  the  country,  and  has  added  greatly  to  the  prestige  of  the  in- 
stitution. 

The  first  Interne  to  be  appointed  was  Dr.  Maurice  Lazenby, 
who  was  selected  in  1904.  In  the  same  year  Dr.  Gavin  was 
made  Superintendent.  Mr.  S.  J.  Hough,  Secretary  of  the  Execu- 
tive Committee  said  “Your  committee  hopes  that  this  action 
will  meet  with  the  approval  of  the  Board.  They  feel  confident 
that  the  appointment  of  Dr.  F.  D.  Gavin  as  General  Superintend- 
ent, from  his  long  continued  connection  with  the  Home  for  a 
period  of  thirty  years  and  his  intimate  acquaintance  with  its 
policies  and  workings,  will  greatly  tend  to  increase  the  efficiency 
of  the  work  of  the  Home  in  every  respect,  and  it  is  but  a just 
tribute  for  the  valuable  services  heretofore  rendered  by  him.” 

The  committee,  consisting  of  Rev.  Dr.  J.  S.  B .Hodges,  Samuel 
J.  Hough  and  Arthur  Boehm,  in  making  their  report  say : “As 
the  work  of  the  Church  Home  has  grown,  especially  during 


15 


the  past  few  years,  it  has  been  thought  advisable  to  make  some 
change  in  the  management  of  the  institution,  particularly  by 
placing  the  internal  administration  of  the  Home  under  a single 
head,  who  is  responsible  for  the  entire  management  to  the  Trus- 
tees, through  the  Executive  Committee.  This  has  been  done; 
and  Dr.  Frank  D.  Gavin,  who  has  since  i 874  (full  thirty  years) 
been  the  Resident  Physician,  has  been  appointed  Superintendent 
and  physician  in  charge  of  the  Church  Home  and  Infirmary.” 

In  the  early  days  the  rates  in  the  public  wards  were  $3.00  a 
week  and  for  private  patients  from  $5.00  to  $12.00.  In  thebe- 
ginning  the  Church  Home  and  Infirmary  recognized  the  neces- 
sity of  having  suitable  quarters  for  pay  patients.  It  was  one  of 
the  first  hospitals  in  the  country  to  understand  that  private  pa- 
tients should  have  at  least  as  good  treatment  as  free  patients, 
and  furthermore  the  Trustees  had  the  business  sagacity  to  see 
that  a certain  amount  of  revenue  might  be  derived  from  pay 
patients,  thus  enabling  them  to  care  for  more  free  patients  than 
their  finances  would  otherwise  permit  them  to  do. 

In  one  year,  in  the  second  report  there  are  records  of  seven 
colored  people  being  cared  for,  this  being  the  maximum.  Since 
then  no  record  of  treatment  of  colored  people  is  forthcoming, 
which  is  only  natural  considering  the  size  and  scope  of  the  in- 
stitution. 

In  1879  an  eye  and  ear  dispensary  was  maintained  and  pre- 
sided over  by  Dr.  Russell  Murdoch.  This  was  kept  up  for  some 
time,  but  then  closed  as  Dr.  Murdoch  could  no  longer  give  his 
time  to  it.  One  of  the  most  interesting  rules  for  patients  that 
I have  noted  in  any  hospital  was  contained  in  the  report  of  1 874 
and  subsequent  reports.  “No  discontented  or  dissatisfied  in- 
mate will  be  retained  in  the  house.” 

NURSING  IN  THE  INSTITUTION 

As  noted  in  the  beginning  of  the  report,  the  Deaconesses 
from  St.  Andrew’s  Infirmary  came  to  the  Church  Home  and  to 
them  was  entrusted  the  care  of  the  patients.  These  nurses  served 
the  institution  most  faithfully  and  in  various  reports  high  tri- 
bute is  paid  to  their  excellent  service.  The  report  ol  1863 


TO  THE  MEMORY  OF 


THE  POE  TABLET 

Edgar  Allan  Poe  breathed  his  last  in  the  Church  Home  and  Infirmary.  In  1909  Mrs.  Thomas  S.  Cullen 
offered  the  Trustees  a tablet  commemorating  this  fact.  The  offer  was  accepted  and  the 
tablet  occupies  a prominent  place  in  the  rotunda  of  the  Institution. 


mentions  the  possibility  of  a training  school  for  nurses.  “It 
is  to  establish  there  a training  school  for  nurses,  where  Chris- 
tian women,  who  desire  to  devote  themselves  to  such  a calling 
may  find  a home,  and  gain  the  experience  which  is  so  necessary 
for  its  judicious  and  faithful  exercise.  This  has  been  already 
done  to  a limited  extent,  but  it  is  the  wish  of  the  Trustees  to 
establish  this  as  an  integral  part  of  their  work.  It  is  believed 
that  such  a central  home  for  nurses  would  be  a great  blessing 
to  the  Home  itself;  to  the  women  who  might  be  instructed 
there,  and  to  the  community  at  large,  who  would  thus  be  sup- 
plied with  carefully  trained  and  responsible  nurses,  whose  fidel- 
ity can  be  vouched  for  by  the  physicians  and  other  officers  in 
the  institution.” 

In  1866  the  Chairman  said;  “The  withdrawal  of  Rev.  Mr. 
Clark  subjected  the  Trustees  to  no  little  anxiety  lest  they  should 
be  unable  to  supply  his  place;  this  anxiety  was  happily  removed 
by  the  voluntary  offer  of  the  Sisterhood  of  the  Good  Shepherd 
to  undertake  the  charge  of  the  Home  for  three  months,  at  the 
expiration  of  which  experimental  period  the  Sisters  were  willing 
to  withdraw,  in  case  the  Trustees  should  prefer  to  fall  back 
upon  the  old  arrangement.” 

“As  this  movement  was  a very  important  one,  and  has  already 
been  attended  with  great  advantage  to  the  institution,  the  Board 
of  Trustees  desire  to  place  on  record  their  deep  sense  of  the  very 
valuable  services  which  were  rendered  in  their  great  emergency 
by  this  Association  of  Christian  women.  In  the  hottest  part  o± 
the  past  trying  summer,  the  Sisters  freely  relinquished  their 
usual  vacation,  went  to  the  Home  in  sufficient  force  to  take 
charge  of  its  affairs,  gave  themselves  up  not  only  to  the  work 
of  nursing,  but  with  their  own  hands  cleansed  and  purified  the 
building  from  top  to  bottom,  putting  every  room  and  ward  in 
good  order,  and  establishing  a degree  of  neatness,  order  and 
economy  throughout,  which  cannot  but  be  gratifying  to  the 
friends  of  the  institution. 

“At  the  expiration  of  the  three  months,  the  Board  was  fully 
satisfied  that  the  experiment  was  eminently  successful;  and  that 
whether  regard  was  to  be  had  to  care  and  tenderness  in  nursing, 
to  neatness  and  order  in  internal  arrangement,  or  to  economy 


17 


in  management,  the  Sisters  were  the  most  efficient  and  faithful 
helpers  they  could  possibly  secure.  They  accordingly,  on  the 
I 2th  of  November  last,  adopted  a resolution  setting  forth  their 
appreciation  of  the  services  which  had  been  rendered,  and  re- 
quested the  Sisterhood  to  continue  their  care  of  the  institution. 
The  internal  management  of  the  Home  and  Infirmary  is  now 
in  their  hands,  they  have  the  same  temporal  duties  and  responsi- 
bilities which  devolved  upon  the  Warden,  and  a Chaplain  attends 
to  the  spiritual  duties  of  the  House.” 

In  the  annual  report  of  1871  we  note:  “They  enjoy  alike 
the  ministrations  of  the  Sisters,  six  or  eight  of  whom  are  in 
constant  attendance  without  cost  to  the  church,  sometimes  even 
without  the  cheering  expression  of  her  people’s  countenance, 
by  the  bedside  of  the  weak  and  dying.” 

In  1872  the  Sisters  of  the  Good  Shepherd  left  and  went  to 
Missouri.  The  report  for  1873  says:  “Scarcely  had  the  year 
begun  before  the  Sisters  of  the  Good  Shepherd,  who  were 
entrusted  with  the  care  of  the  House  which  they  had  served 
well  and  long,  gave  notice  to  the  Trustees  of  their  acceptance 
of  an  invitation  from  the  Bishop  of  Missouri  to  remove  to  his 
Diocese.  The  loss  occasioned  by  their  withdrawal  was  very 
seriously  felt,  and  as  slowly  repaired.  They  had  grown  up,  as 
it  were,  with  this  child  of  their  nurture  and  were  all  that  was 
left  of  the  original  Deaconesses  of  Maryland,  then  at  work  in 
its  borders.  After  weary  search  and  anxious  consultation  Sister 
Anne  and  her  associates  of  what  is  known  as  the  Sisterhood 
of  St.  Luke  the  Physician  were  induced  to  undertake  this 
responsible  charge,  upon  the  duties  of  which  they  entered  at 
Easter.  Of  this  Order  of  Christian  Women,  the  Bishop  of  the 
Diocese  is  ecclesiastical  head,  and  its  members  are  subject  to 
his  sole  direction.  Sisters  Eliza  and  Margaret,  who  were  among 
the  first  Deaconesses  set  apart  in  Maryland,  were  offered  a home 
for  life  upon  the  removal  of  their  Order,  which  they  gladly 
accepted  from  the  Board  of  Trustees.” 

When  Sister  Anne  took  charge  there  were  thirty-four  in- 
mates, and  on  the  list  of  pay  patients  seventeen  persons.  Sister 
Anne  and  her  associates  resigned  in  1873.  “She  was  followed 
by  Miss  Mary  J.  Bradford  a lady  so  well  known  to  the  churches 


18 


in  Baltimore,  as  to  make  it  unnecessary  to  say  a word  more. 
Miss  Bradford  had  Miss  Theodora  Gilmore  as  an  invaluable 
assistant.  Sister  Margaret  and  the  other  assistants  remain,  Miss 
Bradford  as  the  Head,  with  the  Executive  Committee  of  the 
Board  as  her  council  of  advice,  will  now  conduct  the  work.” 

Miss  Bradford  remained  in  charge  for  over  fifteen  years  and 
died  at  the  Church  Home  in  1890, 

The  report  for  1890  says : “ The  Trustees  of  the  Church 
Home  and  Infirmary,  in  laying  before  its  many  friends  another 
Annual  Report  cannot  begin  that  report  without  the  expres- 
sion of  their  sense  of  the  great  loss  the  institution  and  all 
connected  with  it  have  sustained  in  the  death  of  Miss  Brad- 
ford, who  passed  calmly,  peacefully  away  from  her  earthly 
labors  on  the  1 2th  day  of  last  February.  For  fifteen  years, 
close  upon  half  the  entire  lifetime  of  the  Church  Home  and 
during  which  period  more  than  one-half  of  its  active  work  has 
been  accomplished,  she  gave  it  her  wise,  loving  and  never  fail- 
ing care. 

“While,  with  all  who  came  under  her  influence,  we  sorrow 
for  the  loss,  we  should  be  ungrateful  indeed  if  we  were  not 
devoutly  thankful  for  her  long  and  faithful  service.  And  we 
gladly  place  upon  record  our  testimony  that  the  loss  occasioned 
by  her  death  has  been  the  less  severely  felt  by  reason  of  the 
faithful  and  capable  services  of  her  long  time  fellow-workers, 
especially  Dr.  F.  D.  Gavin  and  Miss  H.  M.  Sudler,  upon  whom 
the  Executive  Committee  at  once  devolved  the  immediate  re- 
sponsibility of  the  work.” 

In  I 892,  in  the  report  of  the  Rev.  Dr.  J.  S.  B.  Hodges  we 
note  that  “Several  of  the  City  physicians  have  availed  them- 
selves of  the  invitation  issued  last  year,  and  a number  of  oper- 
ations have  been  performed  by  them  with  most  gratifying  re- 
sults. The  Operating  Room,  recently  fitted  up,  has  answered 
its  purpose  admirably.  Every  facility  is  afforded  for  operating 
according  to  the  latest  requirements  of  Surgery.  Trained  nurses 
have  been  employed  for  all  cases  requiring  such  special  care. 
Dr.  Gavin  reports  that  heretofore  the  hospital  feature  of  our 
work  has  been  so  small  that  it  furnished  little  or  no  material 
for  training.  If  the  work  continues  to  increase  at  the  same  rate 


19 


as  during  the  past  year  we  shall  be  able  to  train  nurses  for  our 
own  use.” 

The  report  of  the  physician  in  charge  for  1897  says:  “We 
have  six  nurses  under  the  immediate  direction  of  Mrs.  Lucas, 
from  whom  they  receive  instruction  in  all  matters  concerning 
their  work.  They  have  charge  or  supervision  of  all  cases  re- 
quiring their  care.  Of  our  nurses  I wish  to  make  this  state- 
ment; that  without  exception  they  have  discharged  the  duties 
committed  to  them  both  carefully  and  cheerfully,  and  have  been 
painstaking  in  carrying  out  instructions,  and  obliging  when 
taxed  beyond  the  requirements  of  service.  They  deserve  our 
appreciation  and  they  should  know  they  have  it.” 

In  the  report  of  1898  Dr.  Gavin  says:  “We  have  seven 
nurses,  besides  Mrs.  Lucas,  who  superintends  their  work  and 
directs  their  studies.  These  nurses  have  charge  of  five  floors 
or  wards,  where  the  transient  patients  are  most  numerous;  and 
the  oversight,  also  of  any  case  that  requires  especial  attention 
in  other  parts  of  the  house.” 

I would  just  like  to  emphasize  this  fact  for  the  benefit  of 
my  hearers  and  I,  too,  gladly  speak  most  highly  of  the  work  of 
these  women.  They  not  only  helped  in  the  wards  and  in  the 
operating  room,  but  also  were  frequently  up  all  night.  At  that 
time  it  was  difficult  to  get  sufficient  nurses  and  the  institution 
was  not  overly  burdened  with  money,  consequently  the  nurses 
that  worked  all  day  retired  in  kimonas,  each  patient  had  a bell 
by  her  side  and  in  case  of  emergency  during  the  night  the  bell 
was  rung.  The  weary  nurse  would  attend  to  the  patient  and 
then  retire.  Those  of  us  who  now  think  we  have  a great  deal 
to  do  have  in  reality  much  lighter  labors  than  the  nurses  of 
those  days. 

In  the  same  report  Dr.  Gavin  refers  to  “one  who  was  engaged 
in  this  work  from  its  very  beginning,  who  shared  its  vicissi- 
tudes, and  who  lived  to  enjoy  the  assurance  of  its  success.  I 
refer  to  Sister  Margaret.  For  thirty-two  years  she  gave  all  she 
possessed  of  bodily  strength,  excellent  judgment  and  honest, 
whole-souled  endeavor  for  the  advancement  of  this  charity. 
Late  in  her  life,  after  ill  health  and  feebleness  had  made  cessa- 
tion from  the  chosen  labors  imperative,  she  lived  on  to  appre- 


20 


THE  CHURCH  HOME  AND  INFIRMARY  AS  IT  LOOKS  TODAY 
This  picture  was  taken  from  the  corner  of  Fairmount  Avenue  and  Broadway. 


ciate  as  a blessed  resting  place  this  same  Home  that  she  had 
done  so  much  to  make  a happy  one  for  others.  The  last  eight 
years  of  her  life  were  passed  in  such  quiet  and  contentment  as 
were  permitted  by  her  increasing  infirmities.  She  slept  peace- 
fully away  on  Sunday  morning,  the  day  after  Christmas,  in  the 
eighty -sixth  year  of  her  age.” 

The  improvement  of  the  Training  School  for  Nurses  was  a 
gradual  one.  After  the  resignation  of  Mrs.  Lucas  we  had  in 
succession.  Miss  Mallalieu,  Miss  Lucy  Sharp,  Miss  Saunders, 
Miss  A.  Miller,  Miss  Caroline  Taylor,  Miss  Weidman,  Miss 
Nancy  P.  Ellicott,  Miss  Mary  B.  Thompson,  Miss  Lucy  Sharp, 
Miss  Waters,  Miss  Hartwell,  Miss  Bennett  and  Miss  V.  Bartlett. 

On  the  resignation  of  Dr.  F.  D.  Gavin  in  1908  the  follow- 
ing report  was  made  by  the  President  of  the  Trustees,  Rev.  Dr. 
Arthur  Chilton  Powell.  “In  recent  years  under  the  direction 
of  Dr.  Frank  D.  Gavin,  the  Infirmary  department  of  our  insti- 
tution has  been  greatly  developed,  while  the  Home  feature  has 
not  been  diminished.  Great  credit  is  due  him  for  this  develop- 
ment, to  which  he  gave  both  time  and  care.  It  will  always  be 
a monument  to  his  long  and  faithful  administration,  which  ter- 
minated by  resignation  in  March  last.  Dr.  Gavin  took  with  him 
the  good  will  and  personal  regard  of  every  member  of  the  Board 
of  Trustees  when  he  retired  to  the  private  practice  of  his  pro- 
fession. He  had  been  attached  to  the  Church  Home  and  In- 
firmary in  several  capacities  for  a third  of  a century,  and  his 
name  must  always  be  honorably  associated  with  its  history. 

“In  March  1908  the  Rev.  Dr.  J.  S.  B.  Hodges,  S.T.  D.  pre- 
sented to  the  Board  his  resignation  as  its  President,  and  thus 
brought  to  a close  a personal  service  such  as  our  institution 
has  had  from  no  other  Trustee.  For  the  past  thirty-four 
years,  he  had  been  the  faithful  President  of  the  Board,  and, 
through  his  influence  added  greatly  to  the  strength  and  popular- 
ity of  the  institution.  His  resignation  was  received  with  much 
reluctance.  He  remains,  however,  a member  of  the  Board  of 
Trustees.” 

In  the  report  of  Rev.  Dr.  Arthur  Chilton  Powell  published 
in  April  1 906,  we  note,  “During  the  year  Miss  Sudler,  for  many 
years  matron  of  the  institution,  decided  to  retire  from  active  ser- 


ai 


vice,  and  in  appreciation  of  her  long  and  faithful  connection  with 
the  Home,  a yearly  pension  was  voted  her,  equal  to  the  salary 
she  had  received.” 

Miss  Sudler  after  severing  her  active  management  in  the 
affairs  of  the  Church  Home  and  Infirmary  spent  several  very 
happy  years  among  her  many  warm  friends  in  Baltimore  and 
died  after  a short  illness  on  April  9,  1913. 

To  those  of  you  who  knew  Miss  Sudler  no  mention  of  her 
splendid  qualities  is  necessary.  For  those  who  were  not  fortu- 
nate enough  to  be  associated  with  her  I will  say  that  she  was 
a woman  of  splendid  tact  and  judgment  and  that  in  the  minis- 
tration of  her  office  her  chief  aim  was  to  make  the  lot  of  the 
infirm  and  the  aged  as  comfortable  and  happy  as  it  could  pos- 
sibly be.  Her  daily  rounds  were  looked  forward  to  by  all,  and 
her  final  departure  will  be  mourned  by  the  many  members  of 
the  Church  Home  and  Infirmary  family. 

For  several  years  after  the  resignation  of  Dr.  Gavin  the  Exe- 
cutive Committee,  with  Mr.  Arthur  Boehm  as  active  represen- 
tative, looked  after  the  management  of  the  institution.  When 
he  resigned  the  position,  Mr. William  Thomsen  and  Mr.  M.  K. 
Burch  successfully  guided  the  destinies  of  the  Home. 

In  the  Fall  of  1912  the  Executive  Committee  after  much 
careful  consideration  and  investigation  was  successful  in  secur- 
ing the  services  of  Miss  Jane  Nash,  who  had  successfully  man- 
aged the  Fordham  Hospital  in  New  York.  In  a personal  con- 
versation with  Dr.  Winford  H.  Smith,  Superintendent  of  the 
Johns  Hopkins  Hospital,  I asked  him  who  was  the  best  avail- 
able person  for  the  Superintendency  of  the  Home;  he  said  “One 
of  the  two  or  three  in  the  United  States  is  Miss  Nash,  but  you 
can’t  get  her.”  It  is  a source  of  great  gratification  that  she  is 
now  the  Executive  officer  of  the  Church  Home  and  Infirmary. 

The  First  Board  of  Trustees  as  mentioned  in  the  Second  An- 
nual Report  published  December  i,  i 859,  consisted  of  the  fol- 
lowing gentlemen:  Rev.  Wm.  E.  Wyatt,  D.  D.;  Rev.  A.  Cleve- 
land Coxe,  D.  D.;  Rev.  Sam’l  R.  Sargeant;  Rev.  Geo.  D.  Cum- 
mings, D.  D.;  Mr.  Wm.  Woodward;  Mr.  Matthew  Howe;  Mr. 
Geo.  W.  Tinges;  Mr.  Sam’l  G.  Wyman;  Mr.  Fred.  W.  Brune, 
Jr.;  Mr.  Wm.  G.  Harrison;  Mr.  Laurence  Thomsen. 


22 


Report  after  report  attested  to  their  fidelity  to  the  trust  they 
were  so  thoroughly  interested  in.  The  tribute  paid  to  each  of 
these  men  as  they  one  by  one  passed  to  the  Beyond  leaves  no 
doubt  as  to  the  great  part  they  played  in  the  development  of 
the  Institution.  I wish  time  permitted  me  to  briefly  sketch  the 
lives  of  these  splendid  and  representative  citizens  of  Baltimore 
and  of  the  members  of  the  successive  Boards. 

The  present  Board  of  Trustees  is  a most  active  one  and  on 
the  Executive  Committee  for  1913  are  Rev.  Arthur  Chilton 
Powell,  D.  D.,  Chairman,  Ex-officio^  Mr.  William  Thomsen, 
Ex-officio^  Mr.  Marion  K.  Burch,  Mr.  Edward  Guest  Gibson, 
Rev.  Edwin  B.  Niver,  D.  D.,  Mr.  Franklin  P.  Cator,  Mr.  John 
Black,  Mr.  William  W.  Chipchase. 

At  a gathering  similar  to  this  and  taking  place  half  a cen- 
tury later,  and  probably  in  this  very  rotunda,  I feel  confident 
that  the  speaker  when  referring  to  the  management  of  the 
Church  Home  and  Infirmary  for  1913,  will  say,  that  the  Trus- 
tees were  broad-minded  men,  that  they  were  absolutely  true  to 
their  trust  and  that  they  had  brought  the  institution  to  such  a 
degree  of  perfection  that  it  was  enabled  to  do  the  maximum 
amount  of  good,  and  that  it  was  a philanthrophy  of  which  the 
Churchmen  of  Maryland  justly  felt  proud. 

No  history  of  the  Home  would  be  complete  without  a ref- 
erence to  Lizzie,  who  for  so  many  years,  faithfully  looked  after 
the  meals  in  the  East  wing  and  has  long  since  been  promoted 
to  the  Nurses’  Home. 

A ride  in  the  elevator  without  Mike  would  seem  unnatural, 
and  a visit  to  the  Home  without  seeing  the  bald  head  and 
beaming  countenance  of  Mr.  Marvel  would  not  be  complete. 
I must,  however,  cease.  Time  will  not  permit  me  to  linger 
with  these  and  many  other  members  of  the  Institution  who 
year  in  and  year  out  have  labored  unostentatiously  and  faith- 
fully for  the  welfare  of  the  Home. 

I have  in  as  short  a space  as  possible  given  you  some  of  the 
history  of  the  Church  Home  and  Infirmary.  The  City  of  Balti- 
more when  this  institution  was  started  was  relatively  small  as 
is  indicated  by  the  fact  that  St.  Michael’s  and  All  Angels  was 
spoken  of  as  in  Baltimore  County.  With  the  growth  of  the 


23 


city  the  development  of  the  institution  has  kept  pace. 

I will  now  address  a few  remarks  to  you  of  the  graduating 
class.  In  a recent  address  of  Sir  William  Osier  to  the  gradu- 
ating class  of  the  Johns  Hopkins  Training  School  for  Nurses 
he  spoke  of  Tact,  Tidiness,  Taciturnity,  Sympathy,  Gentleness, 
Cheerfulness  and  Charity.  The  necessity  of  each  one  of  these 
is  clearly  evident  to  you.  You  have  doubtless  had  numerous 
lectures  bearing  upon  this  subject,  consequently  I will  leave 
nothing  with  you  but  the  titles. 

In  recent  years  it  has  been  more  and  more  evident  that  every 
man  and  woman  should  have  a vocation.  In  the  majority  of 
instances  this  is  necessary  for  a livelihood,  but  rich  and  poor 
alike  must  be  employed,  if  they  are  to  satisfactorily  fill  their 
individual  niche  in  the  community  and  if  they  are  to  get  out 
of  life  true  happiness. 

Many  are  compelled  to  select  vocations  or  occupations  that 
are  not  to  their  liking  and  that  are  monotonous.  You  have 
chosen  a profession  that  is  continually  unfolding  new  and  inter- 
esting problems, — a profession  that  brings  you  into  the  most 
intimate  contact  with  nearly  every  phase  of  life.  In  these  few 
years,  you  have  seen  the  happy  and  the  sad  side  of  life  and  are 
able  to  deduce  the  proper  prospective  of  what  is  and  what  is 
not  really  worth  while. 

You  are  now  ready  for  graduation,  in  reality  you  are  just  at 
the  threshold.  Heretofore  you  have  been  under  hospital  super- 
vision, where  if  you  were  not  exactly  sure  what  should  be  done 
you  could  always  call  upon  the  head  nurse  or  the  superinten- 
dent for  instructions.  Henceforth  if  any  emergency  arises, 
between  the  physician’s  visits  and  when  he  is  not  available,  you 
will  have  to  use  your  own  initiative.  You  will  now  occasionally 
have  to  decide  promptly  just  what  shall  be  done  and  will  have 
to  act  accordingly.  You  have  in  the  past  been,  figuratively 
speaking,  hot-house  plants.  You  are  now  transferred  to  your 
own  individual  sphere  of  usefulness. 

The  medical  student,  who  after  graduation  thinks  that  fur- 
ther study  is  unnecessary,  usually  vegetates  and  in  the  course 
of  a few  years  is  no  longer  in  touch  with  the  adv^ances  in 
medicine.  The  same  is  equally  true  with  the  nurse.  She  should 


24 


take  one  or  two  of  the  best  journals,  and  when  opportunity- 
offers  see  what  new  and  important  methods  have  been  devised. 
In  this  way  she  keeps  abreast  of  the  times  and  her  value  to 
the  community  is  greater.  Again,  this  new  knowledge  is  a 
continual  stimulus,  and  often  fosters  the  spirit  of  investigation. 

Rest.  The  work  of  a trained  nurse  is  very  strenuous  and  con- 
sequently every  nurse  should  take  at  least  one  month’s  vacation 
each  year.  Remember  health  is  one  of  your  greatest  assets.  In 
fact,  if  you  are  not  well,  you  cannot  do  justice  to  yourself  or  to 
your  patient.  If  at  any  time  you  are  run  down,  take  a rest  at 
once.  Remember,  as  a rule,  you  can  accomplish  more  real  work 
in  eleven  months  than  you  can  in  twelve. 

Save.  Unfortunately  neither  the  nurse  nor  medical  student 
is  given  any  business  instructions  during  their  course.  Few 
nurses  can  withstand  a long  series  of  years  of  work  without 
taking  a prolonged  rest  and  every  nurse  must  reckon  with  the 
possibility  of  sickness.  A good  business  man  will  lay  by  a con- 
tingent fund.  Nurses  should  do  likewise  and  I cannot  too 
strongly  impress  upon  you  the  necessity  of  saving  a definite 
percentage  of  your  earnings  to  be  safely  laid  by  or  to  be  in- 
vested by  a thoroughly  competent  business  man. 

In  a hospital  with  which  I was  connected  years  ago,  the 
Superintendent  of  Nurses  made  a very  curious  classification  of 
her  former  pupils: 

1.  Nurses  on  the  active  list. 

2.  Nurses  on  the  mortality  list. 

3.  Nurses  that  were  deceased. 

Class  2,  nurses  on  the  mortality  list,  consisted  of  those  who 
had  married  and  had  left  the  nursing  profession.  No  matter 
what  profession  you  may  later  enter  the  training  you  have  al- 
ready had  will  always  be  a most  valuable  adjunct. 

In  conclusion  I want  to  congratulate  you  of  the  graduating 
class  on  having  satisfactorily  completed  your  term  of  service 
and  I sincerely  trust  that  each  of  you  may  have  a most  happy 
and  successful  career. 


25 


i 


m 1 


A-i  *ti‘ 


f 


■tr 


i 


' • i •'  L 


